U.S. patent application number 16/530017 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-06 for system and method for treating air in an occupiable space.
The applicant listed for this patent is PetAirapy, LLC. Invention is credited to Mike Uda.
Application Number | 20200041146 16/530017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69227969 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200041146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uda; Mike |
February 6, 2020 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING AIR IN AN OCCUPIABLE SPACE
Abstract
The combination of: a building structure defining an occupiable
space; and a system for treating air within the occupiable space.
The air treating system has: a) a conduit system including at least
a first conduit portion for guiding air in a predetermined path
between first and second locations, the conduit portion having a
plurality of outlets between the first and second locations
arranged so that a portion of a volume of air traveling between the
first and second locations is discharged into the occupiable space
through the plurality of outlets; and b) source of UV light to
which air traveling between the first and second locations is
exposed before discharging through the plurality of outlets. The
invention is also directed to a method of treating air, as with the
air treating system.
Inventors: |
Uda; Mike; (St. Charles,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PetAirapy, LLC |
St. Charles |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69227969 |
Appl. No.: |
16/530017 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62713796 |
Aug 2, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 7/065 20130101;
F24F 2003/1667 20130101; F24F 3/16 20130101; F24F 1/0014
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/16 20060101
F24F003/16; F24F 1/0014 20060101 F24F001/0014 |
Claims
1. In combination: a building structure defining an occupiable
space; and a system for treating air within the occupiable space,
the air treating system comprising: a) a conduit system including
at least a first conduit portion for guiding air in a predetermined
path between first and second locations, the conduit portion having
a plurality of outlets between the first and second locations
arranged so that a portion of a volume of air traveling between the
first and second locations is discharged into the occupiable space
through the plurality of outlets; and b) a source of UV light to
which air traveling between the first and second locations is
exposed before discharging through the plurality of outlets.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the air treating
system further comprises an air mover that causes air to travel
between the first and second locations.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the air treating
system is a self-contained portable unit that is selectively
movable to different locations within the occupiable space.
4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the conduit system
is fixedly connected to the building structure.
5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the air treatment
system has an inlet through which air is delivered to the conduit
system.
6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the building
structure and air treatment system are configured so that outside
air is delivered to the air treatment system inlet.
7. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the building
structure and air treatment system are configured so that air
within the occupiable space is delivered to the air treatment
system inlet so as to be recirculated within the occupiable
space.
8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the building
structure is configured to define a plurality of stalls for
livestock.
9. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the air mover
comprises a fan that pressurizes air to force air though the
conduit system.
10. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the air mover is
configured to create a low pressure region that causes air to be
drawn through the conduit system.
11. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit
portion extends in a substantially horizontal line.
12. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit
portion extends in a substantially vertical line.
13. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of
stalls comprises first and second stalls, at least one of the
outlets is arranged to discharge air closer to the first stall than
the second stall and at least another of the outlets is arranged to
discharge air closer to the second stall than the first stall.
14. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit
portion has a tubular shape with a peripheral wall and the
plurality of outlets are formed through the peripheral wall.
15. A method of treating air within an occupiable space, the method
comprising the steps of: effecting germicidal irradiation treatment
of air within the occupiable space; and controllably delivering air
after effecting treatment thereof in discrete discharge patterns at
different locations within the occupiable space.
16. The method of treating air according to claim 15 wherein the
step of controllably delivering air comprises controllably
delivering air under pressure.
17. The method of treating air according to claim 15 wherein the
step of controllably delivering air comprises delivering air
through first and second discrete outlets on at least one conduit
portion.
18. The method of treating air according to claim 15 further
comprising the step of recirculating and effecting further
germicidal irradiation treatment of the air after the air is
delivered into the occupiable space.
19. The method of treating air according to claim 15 further
comprising the step of moving a portable unit into the occupiable
space to effect the treatment and delivery of the treated air.
20. The method of treating air according to claim 15 wherein the
occupiable space is configured to confine livestock in a plurality
of discrete stalls.
21. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit
portion comprises a fabric material with the plurality of outlets
comprising pores defined by yarns and/or fibers making up the
fabric.
22. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit
portion comprises a fabric material through which the plurality of
outlets are formed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to air treatment and, more
particularly, to a method and system for treating air in a space to
control the spread of airborne contaminants/microorganisms.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, there has been an increased focus on
treating the air in environments occupied by pets and livestock.
The primary objectives in designing air treatment systems are to
afford adequate ventilation and minimize the presence of
contaminants/microorganisms that might affect the health of the
non-human occupants.
[0003] Providing quality air for livestock in large buildings has
been particularly challenging. The most basic efforts in affording
adequate ventilation involve strategic placement of openings in
buildings that promote natural convection of air into and from the
space.
[0004] This approach has a number of drawbacks and limitations.
First of all, open buildings are only practical in environments
where the climate is moderate. Further, effective air circulation
within the building space requires a certain threshold of natural
environmental air movement. When conditions are calm, air in the
internal environment becomes stagnant and ventilation is generally
inadequate. These conditions tend to promote the proliferation of
undesirable contaminants/microorganisms. Still further, the intake
of atmospheric air may bring in different types, and potentially
significant volumes, of unwanted contaminants. The above problems
are aggravated by the fact that wind direction changes, which
impacts the air flow into and from a particular space.
[0005] It is known to induce air flow in buildings such as those
described above. This may be effected using intake, exhaust, and
overhead circulating fans. While this may reduce some of the
damaging effects of stagnant air, the forced in-flow of air may
bring in a significant volume of unwanted contaminants from the
outside environment. Further, the outside air may be extremely hot
or cold and may vary drastically in terms of its quality and
temperature, which may adversely impact the comfort and health of
livestock.
[0006] Some of the above systems, in their basic form, do not
effect a reasonable dispersion of air in large spaces, such as
barns--particularly those with individual stalls for livestock. As
a result, air may circulate only in a limited volume of the space,
with air being stagnant in many regions of the space, which problem
is aggravated by the stall arrangement, which produces walls that
block thorough air dispersion. This has led to the advent of using
manifolds with multiple air directing outlets.
[0007] With this latter construction, air outlets can be
strategically provided on a manifold arrangement to direct air
flowing through the manifold into different regions of the space.
While this, to at least some extent, addresses the problem with air
stagnation, other problems described above remain. That is, the air
continuously flows from the outside environment into the internal
space, and commonly such environments will have entrained
microorganisms which are introduced to the space. Still further, as
described above, the internal temperature, humidity, etc. changes
constantly as external conditions change. Thus, air conditions
cannot be reasonably maintained within a desired range and health
and comfort of livestock within the space may be compromised.
[0008] The above problems, while most commonly contended with in
large buildings, also impact facilities with smaller spaces
particularly when owners/operators choose not to use, or cannot
afford to use, HVAC systems. In this category are pet boarding
facilities, animal shelters, animal grooming operations, etc.
[0009] In spite of the many decades that livestock handlers and
others have dealt with the above problems, there remains
significant room for improvement of systems that are both
affordable and effective in terms of creating a safe and
comfortable environment for pets and livestock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of
a building structure defining an occupiable space and a system for
treating air within the occupiable space. The air treating system
has: a) a conduit system including at least a first conduit portion
for guiding air in a predetermined path between first and second
locations and having a plurality of outlets; and b) a source of UV
light to which air traveling between the first and second locations
is exposed before discharging through the plurality of outlets. The
plurality of outlets are arranged so that a portion of a volume of
air traveling between the first and second locations is discharged
into the occupiable space through the plurality of outlets.
[0011] In one form, the air treating system further includes an air
mover that causes air to travel between the first and second
locations.
[0012] In one form, the air treating system is a self-contained
portable unit that is selectively movable to different locations
within the occupiable space.
[0013] In one form, the conduit system is fixedly connected to the
building structure.
[0014] In one form, the air treatment system has an inlet through
which air is delivered to the conduit system.
[0015] In one form, the building structure and air treatment system
are configured so that outside air is delivered to the air
treatment system inlet.
[0016] In one form, the building structure and air treatment system
are configured so that air within the occupiable space is delivered
to the air treatment system inlet so as to be recirculated within
the occupiable space.
[0017] In one form, the building structure is configured to define
a plurality of stalls for livestock.
[0018] In one form, the air mover has a fan that pressurizes air to
force air though the conduit system.
[0019] In one form, the air mover is configured to create a low
pressure region that causes air to be drawn through the conduit
system.
[0020] In one form, the first conduit portion extends in a
substantially horizontal line.
[0021] In one form, the first conduit portion extends in a
substantially vertical line.
[0022] In one form, the plurality of stalls includes first and
second stalls. At least one of the outlets is arranged to discharge
air closer to the first stall than the second stall. At least
another of the outlets is arranged to discharge air closer to the
second stall than the first stall.
[0023] In one form, the first conduit portion has a tubular shape
with a peripheral wall. The plurality of outlets are formed through
the peripheral wall.
[0024] In one form, the invention is directed to a method of
treating air within an occupiable space. The method includes the
steps of: effecting germicidal irradiation treatment of air within
the occupiable space; and controllably delivering air after
effecting treatment thereof in discrete discharge patterns at
different locations within the occupiable space.
[0025] In one form, the step of controllably delivering air
consists of controllably delivering air under pressure.
[0026] In one form, the step of controllably delivering air
includes delivering air through first and second discrete outlets
on at least one conduit portion.
[0027] In one form, the method further includes the step of
recirculating and effecting further germicidal irradiation
treatment of the air after the air is delivered into the occupiable
space.
[0028] In one form, the method further includes the step of moving
a portable unit into the occupiable space to effect the treatment
and delivery of the treated air.
[0029] In one form, the occupiable space is configured to confine
livestock in a plurality of discrete stalls.
[0030] In one form, the first conduit portion is made up of a
fabric material. The plurality of outlets are pores defined by
yarns and/or fibers making up the fabric.
[0031] In one form, the first conduit portion is made up of a
fabric material through which the plurality of outlets are
formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the combination of a
building structure defining an occupiable space and a system for
treating air within the occupiable space, made according to the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation showing further details
of the conduit portion(s) shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a plan view of one form of building structure, as
shown in FIG. 1, and having multiple stalls for livestock;
[0035] FIG. 4 is one exemplary form of conduit portion as shown
schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the conduit system
as shown in FIG. 1 and showing an air mover at alternative
locations in relationship thereto;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation showing further details
of the air treatment system in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of connecting structure
between one form of air treatment system and a building
structure;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a portable air
treating system, according to the invention, and having an
associated carrying handle;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a portable air
treating system, according to the invention, and showing a carriage
for facilitating transportation thereof;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a part of a
building structure, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, and with the
inventive conduit portion in one orientation;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 10 with the conduit portion in
a different orientation;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a conduit portion
made from a fabric material; and
[0044] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a method of
treating air within an occupiable space according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0045] In FIG. 1, the invention is shown in association with a
building structure 10 that defines an occupiable space 12.
[0046] A system 14 is provided for treating air within the
occupiable space 12. The air treating system 14 may be integrated
into the building structure 10 or may be a separate portable unit,
as shown in dotted lines at 14.degree., that may be moved into and
out of the occupiable space 12.
[0047] The air treating system 14 has a conduit system 16,
including at least a first conduit portion 18, for guiding air in a
predetermined path between first and second locations 20, 22, as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0048] The conduit portion 18 has a plurality of outlets 24 between
the first and second locations 20, 22 arranged so that a portion of
a volume of air traveling between the first and second locations
can be strategically discharged into the occupiable space 12
through the plurality of outlets 24.
[0049] The air treating system further has an air treatment system
26 that is operable to kill or inactivate
contaminants/microorganisms typically airborne within an occupiable
space in which pets and livestock may be present. While not so
limited, the air treatment system 26 preferably uses a source of UV
light to which air traveling between the first and second locations
20, 22 is exposed before discharging through the plurality of
outlets 24. It is known to use ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
(UVGI) to kill or inactivate the microorganisms. Commonly, this
irradiation involves use of short wavelength ultraviolet light.
[0050] The schematic depiction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended to show
the broad concepts encompassed by the invention. While a more
specific form of certain components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be
described hereinbelow, it should be understood that the schematic
showing, while encompassing the specific forms as described
hereinbelow, is also intended to encompass variations of those
components and their interaction.
[0051] As one example, the building structure 10 may take virtually
an unlimited number of different forms. The building structure may
be large--such as a barn--or small, such as a veterinary office, a
pet boarding facility, an animal grooming facility, an animal
shelter, etc. Use with even a smaller building structure, such as a
dedicated portable container for animals, is contemplated. The
building structure 10 may be as simple as an open space with no
HVAC or other air treatment system. Alternatively, an HVAC system
might be incorporated into which the present invention can be
integrated.
[0052] What is the focus of the invention, while not so limited, is
the treatment of air in spaces occupied by pets, livestock, and
other non-human living beings. Buildings with humans as the primary
occupants might be similarly treated. As described with respect to
FIG. 3, the building structure 10, used for exemplary purposes
only, has an occupiable space 12 that is compartmentalized to have
individual stalls 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f. With a conventional
construction, typically the wall structure 30a, as shown for
exemplary stall 28a, blocks the free movement of air within the
occupiable space 12 whereby the air stagnates at different
locations in spite of the fact that there may be some sort of air
mover that causes the air to be forcibly driven or drawn other than
by natural convection.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the outlets 24a, 24b are shown to be at
different locations on a conduit portion 18 whereby a portion of a
volume of air travelling between the first and second locations 20,
22 can be strategically directed at different locations to cause a
more uniform distribution of treated air within the occupiable
space 12.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the conduit portion 18 may be in the
form of a conventional tubular duct piece, with a round or
polygonal shape as viewed in cross section. In this embodiment, the
conduit portion 18 has a surrounding wall 32 through which the
separate outlets 24a, 24b are formed. The outlets 24a, 24b may have
the same or different shapes and may have the same or different
diameters--in the latter case to allow different volume discharge.
One or more of the outlets 24a, 24b may communicate with an
extension conduit 34 that allows a more controlled direction of the
discharging air to a desired region or location.
[0055] Within the generic showing of FIG. 2, the conduit portion 18
might be of conventional design, as using metal materials, or made
in other forms, such as ones using recent "sock" technology, as
described in greater detail below.
[0056] As noted above, the conduit system 16 may include any number
of conduit portions, such as the conduit portion 18, or other
configurations that are best adapted to effect the desired
uniformity of air distribution within a space. For example, in the
FIG. 3 building structure configuration, the outlets 24a, 24b or
discharge portions of extension conduits 34 associated with one or
both of the outlets 24a, 24b, might be situated to be in closer
proximity to one of the stalls. In one arrangement, the outlet 24a
may discharge air at a location closer to the stall 28a than the
stall 28b. Likewise, the outlet 24b may be located to discharge
treated air at a location closer to the stall 28b than the stall
28a.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the conduit system 16 has an inlet 36
through which air is delivered to the conduit system.
[0058] The air treating system 14 may be configured so that outside
air 38 is continuously directed to the inlet 38.
[0059] Alternatively, inside air 40 may be recirculated to the
inlet 36 whereby minimal or no outside air 38 is required to
operate the system 14. With the inside air 40 recirculating, the
air is repeatedly treated by the air treatment system 26. The
showing of the outside air 38 and inside air 40 in dotted lines is
intended to encompass system operation with primarily outside air
38 being treated, primarily inside air 40 being recirculated, and
different combinations of outside and inside air volumes.
[0060] The system 14 may be operable based upon natural convection
but preferably incorporates an air mover 42. The air mover 42 may
generate a positive pressure, as at the inlet 36 or a location 44
upstream of the inlet 36, to thereby force air through the conduit
system. Alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 5, the air mover 42
may create a negative pressure at a location 46 within the conduit
system or a location 48 downstream thereof to induce flow by
causing the air to be drawn to the low pressure region. The air
mover 32, while not so limited, may include a fan.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the air treatment system 26, while not
so limited, is in the form of one or more UV light sources. As
noted above, typically the system will use ultraviolet germicidal
irradiation (UVGI) to disinfect by using short wavelength
ultraviolet light. The air treatment system 26 may be configured so
that air is exposed to the energy of the UV light source at one or
more locations as the air is advanced and/or recirculated.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the air within the occupiable space 12
may be exposed to the light from the UV light source at any one or
more of the locations 44, 46, 48, the inlet 36, and in the conduit
system 16. In other words, one or more UV light sources 26 can be
provided so that the air within the occupiable space 12 is exposed
thereto as it moves through the conduit system 16 and/or the
occupiable space region therearound.
[0063] As noted above, the air treating system may, in whole or in
part, be fixedly integrated into/connected to the building
structure 10 with appropriate connecting structure as shown at 50
in FIG. 7.
[0064] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the air treating system
14' may be a self-contained portable unit that is selectively
movable to different locations within the occupiable space 12. The
air treating system 14' may be small enough that it may be lifted
by a user and may have an associated carrying handle 54 to
facilitate transportation thereof.
[0065] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the air treating system
14' might incorporate some sort of carriage 56, as with wheels,
that facilitates transportation of the air treating system 14'
into, from, and around, the occupiable space 12.
[0066] Some part of the air treating system 14' may be built into
the building structure 10, such as part or all of the conduit
system 16, with the remaining components making up a unit that can
be transported into and around the occupiable space 12 for
separable connection to the pre-assembled portion of the conduit
system.
[0067] The conduit portion 18 with a tubular shape has a central
axis 58. The conduit portion 18 may be arranged so that the axis 58
extends substantially vertically within the building structure 10,
as shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the
conduit portion 18 may be oriented so that the axis 58 is
substantially horizontal. Of course, "horizontal" and "vertical"
are intended to encompass purely vertical and horizontal as well as
a range of angular variations therefrom, as on the order of up to
30.degree..
[0068] Reference is made above to "sock" technology that may be
used to form part of the air treating system. As shown in FIG. 12,
a conduit portion 60 has a body 62 made at least partially from a
non-metal material. Typically, the body 62 will be made from a
fabric which has outlets 64. The outlets 64 may be pores formed
naturally by the yarns/fibers that make up the fabric so that the
fabric allows the air to diffuse therethrough substantially
uniformly over its entire area.
[0069] The formation of the fabric may be controlled so that the
porosity is strategically varied in different areas.
[0070] In a further form, the fabric technology can be utilized to
produce a lighter weight conduit construction with discrete outlets
64 located taking into account the above considerations.
[0071] The "sock" technology can be utilized to form part or all of
conduits associated with built-in or portable units. The sock
technology is evolving and all of the features currently developed,
and those in development, can be used with the inventive
system.
[0072] The invention also contemplates using a porous arrangement
of metal that allows the required air passage.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, the invention is also directed to a
method of treating air within an occupiable space without
limitation to the specific structure described above, though the
same is preferred in performing the method.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 13 at block 66, germicidal irradiation
treatment of air is effected within the occupiable space. The air
might technically be treated externally of the occupiable space,
but for purposes of simplicity, since the air communicates from
outside to inside, the treatment will be considered to be within
the occupiable space.
[0075] As shown at block 68, the treated air is delivered
controllably in discrete discharge patterns at different locations
within the occupiable space.
[0076] The air may be forced into the occupiable space or drawn
thereinto.
[0077] In one form, the method is performed in a building structure
having separate stalls, with the discharge patterns at the
different locations causing a more even distribution of air within
the stalls than would be possible in a stagnant environment.
[0078] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended
to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the
invention.
* * * * *